THE JOURNAL OF THE EGYPTIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION VOL. LXXVII; NO.1, 2 2002 HIV/AIDS PERCEPTIONS AND RISKY BEHAVIORS IN SQUATIER AREAS IN CAIRO, EGYPT By Mona Shama" Lamiaa EM Fiala,,· Moustafa A.F. Abbas • High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt .. Faculty of Medicine, Suez canal University, Ismailia. Egypt ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to assess HIV/AIOS perceptions and risky behaviors of adults living in squatter areas in order to take decisions about the relevant messages and health education methods that should be used to prevent HN transmission in the studied communities. Two methods were used to collect data in this cross sectional study, focus group discussion and structured interview. The study was carried out in six squatter areas in Cairo, four of them located in west Cairo and two in east Cairo. Results: 237 community members and community leaders shared in the study, 44.7% were males and 55.3% females, 64.1% were married and 34% single. Community members represented two-thirds of the sample while one-third were community leaders. Participants